Sam Allardyce revealed he was contacted about succeeding Rafa Benitez at Newcastle United but he never had talks with Magpies owner Mike Ashley about the vacant manager’s job.
The former Magpies boss was on Alan Brazil’s Sports Breakfast on Thursday and the Scottish presenter asked him about the Daily Mail reporting that he had been offered the chance to return to St James Park.
Allardyce responded by sharing he was surprised that the Magpies had approached his agent but after a quick think, he knew it wasn’t for him.
“I was extremely surprised,” said Allardyce on talkSPORT (6:09am, Thursday, July 11th).
“I think we never really ever got to the sorta talks people are suggesting, I had a talk with my agent.
“As much as I respect Newcastle, Newcastle fans and Mike, it wasn’t for me and I politely said no and moved on.
“Yea (whether offered the job around Monday/Tuesday) I think it’s about not going back, in my mind don’t go back, if it was maybe the first time around I’d jump at it, but not now.
“I appreciated the offer I was surprised, y’know I haven’t worked for a full season, but I never got talk to Mike Ashley or anything like that, it was just my agent contacted me and I had a quick think, looked at the situation and thanked them for contacting Mark, but not for me.”
OPINION
It seems the Magpies showed a little bit of interest in appointing Allardyce, but it didn’t really lead anywhere. The Mail’s report claims he was presented with an offer by senior Magpies officials after talks between them and his representatives, but based on Allardyce’s remarks it didn’t get that far. The national newspaper added that Allardyce wasn’t keen on returning to St James Park as he had concerned about the club’s recruitment policy, but given the 64-year-old said he only had a quick think before snubbing the opportunity, did he even wonder about the Magpies’ transfer strategy? It certainly doesn’t sound like it. However, while normally a manager turning a club down can be seen as a bad thing by supporters, in this case; they’re probably relieved the experienced manager isn’t returning. The Guardian reported when Allardyce was sacked by the Magpies in January 2008, that Magpies fans played a part in the decision to let him go, as they weren’t pleased with the strange lack of cohesion in the team as well as the fact he was playing players out of position.
